Colonie student designs ‘no texting’ billboard

A Colonie Central High School sophomore won a contest to create an anti-distracted driving billboard.

Haylie Szemplinski designed the billboard unveiled Wednesday that declares New Karner Road just south of Central Avenuea “No Text Zone.”

This is the third year for the billboard design contest sponsored by the South Colonie Schools Art Department and Lamar Graphics.

The 49-by-15-foot billboard is just past the Rt. 155 side entrance to Walgreens pharmacy.

According to the district’s announcement, Szemplinski said she was surprised hers was chosen as this year’s winning design because “I saw some of the others and they were all great.”

“I hope people get the message and understand that texting and driving is not safe,” said Haylie, who has her driver’s permit but not her licenseyet. “An accident can happen to anyone if you’re not paying attention.”

Congrats to Haylie! Kudos to Lamar Graphics for their continuing annual sponsorship of this project. And “good job” to the CCHS art department and teachers. I’ve been impressed with the message/graphic resulting from this project every year!

An interesting fact I did not know (from the SCCSD release on this project)… “Studies reveal that texting and driving is the No. 1 killer of teens, surpassing drinking and driving. More than 3,000 teens die annually from distracted driving compared to 2,700 drinking and driving fatalities.”